Simple Profound Purpose

“What do we live for, if it is not to make life less difficult for each other”
George Elliot

As I sat here thinking and reading of all the wonderful posts on purpose that been written this month, I felt that the Lord had really spoken so much to me through all of you. And even through the comments, some wonderful statements had been made that really made me think and turn to the Lord in prayer on how I could incorporate it into my life.

And then I panicked. I thought what on earth else could be said about purpose that hadn’t already been said in one form or another. And as I dwelt on it and prayed I just felt a sense that I just needed to go back to the scripture the Lord had showed me for my last post. Jesus was replying to the ones who were trying to test Him and trying to cause Him to answer in a way that would cause Him to be accused of falsity. The question that had been posed to Him was what is the greatest commandment. His reply was all encompassing. He said: The first was to love the Lord your God with all your heart, your mind and your soul.

But then He continued. Not listing the other 9 commandments, but only one more and that one was to love your neighbor as yourself. And He finished it with saying that these two commandments fulfilled all the law and the prophets. Matthew 22:37

God calls us to a purpose, a purpose of serving. No matter our station in this life or where we are at. Whether we be rich or big in business, whether we live modestly, work outside the home, or are stay at home moms. Whether we belong to the PTA or belong to a gym. We daily have a chance to love our “neighbor”, to make life a little less difficult for someone. Will we be obedient to that simple purpose or are we looking beyond that to the “big” ministry. There is no doubt about it. Living on this earth is sometimes hard. Life has a way of knocking a person around at different times. Do we recognize His purpose and call to alleviate the load for someone?

These calls are usually simple things. Will we recognize them? The taking of a meal to someone who’s ill. The offer of taking someone’s child so they can get to the doctor, with a smile. The doing the load of laundry without complaining. The simple act of a hug for someone who’s upset. The offer of a prayer for someone who’s not “fine” when you ask. A word or note of encouragement for someone who is struggling. Having someone for dinner who’s lonely.

Sometimes they are so simple, we overlook them. How can that be my purpose? That’s too simple, how can a smile or shoveling someone’s step really make their life less difficult. Jesus said:

“Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kindom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prision and you came to visit me.

Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?

The King will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did it for me.”

Matthew 25:34-0

Something so simple. And yet in this simple thought is the profound work of God; that we show people Jesus through these small acts. And the profoundness is when we do it for others, we do it to Jesus. And then we are changed as we allow Him to touch those around us and make life less difficult for them with the love of God. And I don’t believe Jesus was speaking in terms of “big” ministry here. I believe He was speaking of the everyday. People He brings across out path and into our lives. Both strangers and family and friends. Church people and unchurched. The prison does not have to be a literal building. It could be anyone who is closed in with sin.

Fullfilling all the law and prophets in 2 commandments. Simple yet oh, so profound.

Father, forgive me for those times, that in my busyness of life, I missed making life less difficult for someone you sent my way. Forgive me if I have done it but grumbled inside. Make me more sensitive to your Holy Spirit’s leading to love my neighbor. In Jesus Name. Amen.

What are some things that you can immediately think of that God might be laying on your heart to love your neighbor and make life less difficult?